CongressmanBob Goodlatte

Veterans' Issues

We must remember those who have sacrificed in honor of our American principles. These are the veterans of our wars, past, present, and future -- they are the ones who have stood guard over the principles that have created this great nation. And it is in their memory and names that we must commit to ourselves that we will never forget their sacrifices, that we will not allow their blood to have been shed in vain and that we will, every day, act in accordance with those principles that they fought for. We must always pay tribute to those who have made our nation great, strong, and most importantly – free.

Actions

Member of the Congressional Veteran’s Jobs Caucus and the House Veteran’s Mental Health Caucus.

Supported S. 1094, the Department ofVeterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act, which was signed into law on June 23, 2017. It provides the VA Secretary with more flexibility to discipline or remove employees and executives who have failed to serve our veterans. It also strengthens whistleblower protections for those seeking to shine a light on abuses within the VA system.

Supported H.R. 3218, the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act, which would remove time restrictions to use the GI Bill, enabling future eligible recipients to use their GI bill benefits for their entire lives. It also provides significant increases in GI Bill funding for Reservists and Guardsmen, dependents, surviving spouses and surviving dependents; provides 100% GI Bill eligibility to Post 9/11 Purple Heart recipients; restores eligibility for servicemembers whose school closes in the middle of a semester and creates a pilot program that would pay for veterans to take certain high technology courses. This bill was signed into law on August 16, 2017 by President Trump.

Supported H.R. 2288, the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act, which would modernize the appeals process at the Department of Veterans Affairs and was signed into law on August 23, 2017.

Cosponsor of H.R. 303, the Retired Pay Restoration Act, which would enact full concurrent receipt for America’s disabled military retirees.

Cosponsor of H.R. 476, the Veterans Emergency Treatment (VET) Act, which would require VA hospitals to comply with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act.

Cosponsor of H.R. 874, the Sgt. Brandon Ketchum Never Again Act, which would require that if a veteran is enrolled in the VA health care system and requests to be admitted for in-patient psychiatric care, the VA Medical Center must provide psychiatric care for the veteran. If there are not enough beds or providers at the VA Medical Center, the VA must find care for the veteran at a non-VA facility.

Cosponsor and supporter of H.R. 1133, the Veterans Transplant Coverage Act, which would give the VA authority to provide organ transplants to veterans from a live donor regardless of whether the donor is a veteran or whether the health care facility is part of the VA.

Cosponsor of H.R. 2327, the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) Act, which would establish a program to provide eligible organizations with grant funding to provide service dogs to veterans with severe post-traumatic stress disorder.

Supporter of H.R. 506, the Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act. This bill would penalize those who execute a scheme to defraud a veteran of his or her benefits. Penalties include a fine, imprisonment of up to five years, or both. This bill is similar to legislation that was approved by the House Judiciary Committee and subsequently passed the full House of Representatives in 2016.

Veterans History Project

The United States Congress created the Veterans History Project in 2000. This project collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war. If you are interested in learning more, or if you would like to share your story, please click here.